Gutter support



April 14, 1953 A. D. KUMPF GUTTER SUPPORT Filed Sept. 18, 1948 INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 14, 1953 GUTTER SUPPORT August D. Kumpf, Philadelphia, Pa.;

Grace Louise Entwisle, administratrix of said August D. Kumpf, deceased Application September 18, 1948, Serial No. 49,893

Claims. (01. 248-482) This invention relates to gutter supports of the type commonly employed in building structures for the purpose of supporting a gutter in proper relation with respect to the edge of a roof and is concerned primarily with certain novel improvements in the anchorage of the support to the building structure and the connection of the gutter to the support.

At the present time those engaged in the building trades recognize that a gutter support of the type which does not impair or block the trough of the gutter so as to interfere with the passage of water therethrough, is the more desirable as compared to those which are located within the trough of the gutter iself.

This external type of support is generally known as a circle and comprises a rigid structural member such as a channel bar of semicircular formation. Obviously, provision must be made to anchor one end of each such circle to the building structure and means must also be provided for attaching the gutter firmly to the circle.

An important object of the invention lies in the provision of a new and improved hanger assembly for anchoring the inner end of a circle of the type above indicated. In accordance with this invention such assembly consists essentially of a plate that is adapted to be attached to an appropriate element of the building structure and to each plate is pivotally connected a hanger bar, and a feature of the invention is the provision of means for establishing an interlock between the hanger bar and this plate.

More in detail, the invention has as an object the provision, in a gutter support of the type indicated, of a hanger bar of channel cross section which is twisted intermediate the ends thereof. This twist provides an upper portion which is adapted to be pivotally secured to the plate and a lower portion arranged substantially normal to the upper portion that is adapted to be secured to one end of a gutter supporting circle. In forming the twist, a certain amount of the metal will be caused to be extruded beyond the normal dimensions of the bar, thereby providing a projection on one side. This projection is received in a recess on the plate to provide the interlock aforesaid.

In mounting a gutter in a building structure, it is necessary to provide a slope or pitch to cause the water to flow downwardly under gravity action. In the past, hanger bars of the same gen eral type with which this invention is concerned were provided with a series of openings, and the proper openings selected for any particular circle in attaching the latter to the hanger bar so as to achieve the desired pitch. Obviously, the use of this series of openings presents definite limitations as to the position in which the circle may be secured to the hanger bar. Another highly important object of the invention is the provision of novel mechanism for attaching the circle to the hanger bar which provides an infinite number of positions between the two which may be achieved.

In carrying out this idea, the series of openings in the channel bar is omitted. A connecting member is provided which cooperates with the channel construction of the circle to provide a right angularly shaped groove or passage which receives one flange and a part of the main body portion of the hanger bar. This connecting member is provided with a hook which fits over the edge of the gutter and a bolt and nut assembly provides means for tightening the connecting member relative to the circle so as to clamp the hanger bar positively therebetween.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision, in a gutter support of the character aforesaid, of a circle of channel cross section having an outer flange that is cut away to provide a notch which slidably receives a flange on the hanger bar. This notch provides for a good interlock between the hanger bar and the circle, and at the same time, th sliding relation permits the Iadjustment of the circle relative to the hanger In' the past, considerable difiiculty has been ex-- perienced in anchoring the gutters to the circles. As above explained, there is a hook on a connecting member which is in turn attached to each circle at the inner end and each overlies the upper edge of this gutter. A clip is ordinarily employed at the outer end of the circle for gripping the outer edge of the gutter so that the latter is held by these clips on the outside and the hooks on the inside.

It is now a common practice to form gutters of the type with which this invention is concerned, with an outer edge in the form of a rolled bead. The clip aforesaid must be adapted to securely grip this bead Without danger of damage thereto. The spring clips which have been used for this purpose will, after continued use, damage the bead and the narrow bands which have sometimes been employed for this purpose have proven unsatisfactory in that an establishment of a tight gripping engagement of the band with the gutter deforms the bead on the latter.

With these devices in mind, a further object of the invention lies in the provision, in a gutter support of the type noted, of new and improved means for anchoring the outer end of each circle to the rolled bead on the outer edges of the gutter.

More in detail, the invention has as an object the provision of a clip in the form of a band that is made from a metal and is readily deformable and which is formed with an opening adapted to receive a hook on the end of the circle. This band is susceptible of being manually deformed as by the fingers of a workman so that it may be bent around the bead so as to generally conform thereto. This clip is also provided with a pair of spaced projections which are adapted to be engaged by an appropriate tool such as a pair of hanger tongs so that it may be further deformed into a snug engagement with the bead.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention such as arise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas in a practical embodiment will, in part become apparent, and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention therefore comprises a gutter support which consists essentially of a circle together with novel means for anchoring one end of said circle to a building structure. This means includes a hanger bar having opposite end portions twisted substantially ninety degrees to each other together with a connecting element for clamping the the lower portion of said hanger bar to the circle in any of an infinite number of adjusted positions. The invention also embraces the connection of the outer rolled edge of the gutter to the outer end of the circle and each connection consists of a clip in the form of a band of deformable metal having spaced projections which facilitate the use of hanger tongs thereon.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is a side view bringing out a gutter support that is designed in accordance with the precepts of this invention in elevation with the gutter supported thereby shown in section;

Figure 2 is an elevational showing taken normal to the plane of Figure 1 and looking at the side carrying the hanger assembly;

Figure 3 is another elevational showing taken normal to the plane of Figure 1 but looking at the outer side of the hanger;

Figure 4 is a detailed perspective of one of the clips per se; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view bringing out the several parts of the hanger assembly in exploded relation.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts and first more particularly to Figure 1, a gutter of the type which is intended to be supported on a building structure by the support of this invention is therein illustrated and referred to generally by the reference character G. The gutter G will ordinarily be made from an appropriate sheet metal and will have the semicylindrical formation illustrated. The gutter G includes an inner edge at In and an outer edge which takes the form of a rolled bead I I.

The gutter G is supported by a plurality of supports which are known as circles. One of the circles is illustrated in the drawings and referred to generally by the reference character C. The circle 0 is of a channel cross section defined by a main body part 12 which assumes a position substantially radially of the curvature of the gutter G, an inner flange [3 which snugly engages the outer contour of the gutter G, and an outer flange l4. Adjacent to the inner end of the circle C, the flange I4 is cut away to provide a notch [5 which is shown in Figures 1 and 5. Adjacent to its outer end, the outer flange I4 and the main body part I2 are cut away to provide a hook l6 for a purpose to be later described.

A hunger assembly is shown at the right hand side of Figure 1 and in Figure 2. This assembly is referred to in its entirety by the reference character H. It comprises a plate N, that is formed with two series of openings I8 that are adapted to receive appropriate fastening elements such as nails, screws, or the like; that are employed for the purpose of anchoring this plate to an element of a building structure (not illustrated) A hanger bar is designated l9 and is more clearly illustrated in Figure 5. The bar i9 is of channel cross section substantially through its entire length and which cross section is defined by a main body part 20 to which is integrally joined side flanges 2| and 22. The side flange 22 together with a portion of the main body part 20 is cut away as represented at 23 to facilitate twisting of the bar so as to provide an upper portion 24 and a lower portion 25 which is substantially normal to the upper portion 24. Between the portions 24 and 25 there is a twist which provides a projection 26 that is received in a complementally shaped slot 21 formed in the plate [1.

A rivet 28 passes through an opening 29 formed in the upper portion 24 of the hanger bar 19 and also through an opening (not illustrated) which aligns therewith and which is formed in the plate [1. This rivet serves to pivotally connect the hanger bar to the plate I! and the interlock between the projection 26 and the slot 2'! adds rigidity to this connection.

The hanger assembly H also includes a connectin member 30. This member 30 comprises a main body part 3! which carries at its upper end a book 32 which fits over the edge In of the gutter. Outstanding from the main body part 3| is a flange 33 of reduced thickness as compared to the main body part 3|. The latter is also formed with an aperture at 34 which is countersunk on the outer face of the member 30 as indicated at 35 and the countersink is of noncircular formation such as the square illustrated.

Adjacent to the inner end of the circle C the main body part I2 of the latter is formed with an orifice 36 which aligns with the aperture 34 when the parts are in assembled relation. A screw 3! passes through the aperture 34 and oriflce 36 and carries a head 38 that is complemental to and received in the countersink 35. A nut 39 is threaded on the other end of the screw 31. The screw 31 and the nut 39 when taken together comprise a securing element.

It is important to note that the main body part 3| is slightly narrower than the main body part l2 of the circle C. Thus, when the part 3| is inserted in the channel of the circle and rests against the inner flange l3 thereof, there is a small space provided just within the outer flange which receives the flange 22 of the hanger bar l9. Moreover, this space is substantially in alig mfim with the notch l5 so that when the hangerbar I9 is assembled in the manner illustrated in Figure 1, it may be adjusted vertically with respect to the circle and after the adjustment the nut 39 may be tightened to rigidly clamp the hanger bar in an adjusted position.

At this point it is well to note that the head 38 and nut 39 are of the same shape, thus either is adapted to be received in the countersink 35.

Referring now more particularly to the left hand side of Figure 1 together with Figures 3 and 4 a clip in the form of a band 40 is therein illustrated. This band 40 is preferably made from a light metal that is susceptible of easy deformation of which an appropriate aluminum alloy may be taken as an example. The band 40 has the tapered side edges illustrated and its larger end is formed with an opening 4| which receives the hook I6. A pair of projections 42 and 43 are struck from the band 40 in spaced relation and on what is intended to be the exterior surface thereof.

In assemblin the gutter G on the circle 0, the band 40 is first positioned so that the opening 4| receives the hook it, and manually bent around the bead II so as to generally conform thereto. This initial bending operation may ordinarily be carried out by the fingers of the workman. An appropriate tool such as a pair of hanger tongs may then be employed in conjunction with the projections 42 and 43 to tighten the band 40 about the bead H and achieve the snug fit illustrated in Figure 1.

While the mode of assembling the gutter support above described with a gutter is believed to be self-evident from the description already given it may be briefly outlined by noting that the plates H are first secured to the building structure. The circles C are then attached to the hanger bars I9 through the medium of the connecting members 30 and screw bolts 31. A desired pitch in the gutter G may be obtained by properly positioning each circle 0 with respect to the hanger bar at I9 to which its is connected.

The gutter G is then positioned with its edge HJ coming beneath the hooks 32. The clips 40 are now applied in the manner described to firmly anchor the bead II to the outer ends of the circles. It is important to note that these clips 40 do not have any properties of elasticity or resiliency. Once bent into their ultimate form they retain that shape,

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions and devices illustrated and described because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention in to practice within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a gutter support of the character described, a hanger assembly comprising: an anchoring plate, a hanger bar of channel cross sec tion having end portions twisted substantially normal to one another, a connection between the upper end of said bar and said plate, a semicircular supporting element of channel cross section having inner and outer flanges, said outer flange being formed with a notch, a connecting member received in the channel of said supporting element and cooperatin with said outer flange to provide a space in alignment with said notch, said space and notch receiving a part of said bar, and screw means for clamping said bar between said connectin member and said supporting element.

2. In a gutter support of the character described, a hanger assembly comprising: an anchoring plate, a hanger bar of channel cross section having end portions twisted substantially normal to one another, a connection between the upper end of said bar and said plate, a semicircular' supporting element of channel cross sec tion having inner and. outer flanges, said outer flange being formed with a notch, a connecting member received in the channel of said outer flange to provide a space in alignment with said notch, said space and notch receiving a part of said bar, a hook on said connecting member adapted to fit over the inner edge of a gutter, the other end of said element being formed with a hook, a clip in the form of a strip of a deformable metal having an opening in one end receiving said hook, and a pair of spaced projections struck from said strip and adapted to be engaged by a pair of hanger tongs.

3. A gutter support comprising a plate adapted to be secured to the side of a building, a hanger bar having one end connected to said plate, a projection secured to said hanger bar adjacent said one end thereof and adapted to be interlocked with said plate, a supporting element adapted to supportingly receive a gutter, a connecting member positioned adjacent one end of said supporting element, and a securing element engaging said connecting member and engaging said supporting element and adapted to urge said connecting member toward said supporting element, said hanger bar being slidably positioned between and adapted to be clamped between said supporting element and said connecting member by said securing element to permit vertical adjustment of said gutter with respect to a building.

4. A gutter support comprising a supporting element adapted to supportingly receive a gutter, a connecting member positioned adjacent one end of said supporting element, a securing element engaging said connecting member and engaging said supporting element and adapted to urge said connecting member toward said supporting element, and a hanger bar slidably positioned between and adapted to be clamped between said supporting element and said connecting member by said securing element to permit vertical adjustment of said gutter with respect to a building, one end of said hanger bar being adapted to be connected to said building.

5. A gutter support comprising a supporting element adapted to supportingly receive a gutter, a first flange secured to one side of said supporting element and projecting from one face thereof, a second flange secured to the other side of said supporting element and projecting from said one face thereof, a connecting member having one side positioned against said first flange and having one face positioned against said one face of said supporting element adjacent one end of said supporting element and spaced from said second flange, a third flange projecting from the other side of said connecting member and secured to said connecting member, a hanger bar having one end adapted to be connected to a building, a fourth flange secured to one side of said hanger bar and projecting from one face thereof, said fourth flange being slidably positioned in the space between said connecting member and said second flange, and a securing element projecting through said supporting element and said con- 7 8 necting member and urging said third flange Number Name Date against the other face of said hanger bar and 540,896 Berger June 11, 1895 urging said one face of said hanger bar against 664,637 Heib Dec. 25, 1900 said second flange. 1,554,779 Berger Sept. 22, 1925 AUGUST D. KUMPF. 5 1,883,547 Carbaugh Oct. 18, 1932 R f 2,024,348 Feltman Dec. 17, 1935 e erences Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Country Date Number Name Date 17,023 Norway Nov. 11, 1907 344,236. Berger June 22, 1886 10 

